‘Wheel of Fortune’ Sparks Backlash After Contestant Denied $40,000 Despite Seemingly Correct Answer
Fans of Wheel of Fortune are voicing their outrage after a recent episode left one contestant, Megan, walking away with far less than she might have deserved. Many viewers believe the popular game show unfairly denied her a $40,000 prize, despite her apparently giving the correct answer.
Megan, a high school choir director from California, found herself in the spotlight during the bonus round. The puzzle, listed under the category “Living Thing,” displayed the clue: “_ N ’ R _ _ _.” After making her letter choices, the board revealed: “P _ N _ ’ _ R C _ D.”
With just 10 seconds on the clock, Megan quickly offered her final guess — which, according to viewers, sounded clearly like “Pink Orchid.” Unfortunately, the buzzer sounded, and host Pat Sajak revealed the correct answer to indeed be “Pink Orchid.” Megan appeared visibly frustrated as the letters flashed, aligning with what she had just said moments earlier.
Sajak then unveiled the bonus prize envelope — a hefty $40,000 — a sum that Megan missed out on, receiving just $14,007 for her efforts.
But viewers at home weren’t having it.
Social media lit up with reactions, with many claiming the show misjudged Megan’s response.
“She definitely said ‘Pink Orchid’ — it was clear as day,” one viewer tweeted. Another added, “I rely on captions because I’m hearing impaired, and they confirmed it: she said ‘Pink Orchid’!”
One angry fan wrote, “@WheelofFortune needs to replay that final moment. She got it right. You owe her that money!”
Others shared videos and slowed-down clips of the moment, attempting to prove that Megan had, in fact, correctly solved the puzzle.
To add fuel to the fire, this isn’t the first time Wheel of Fortune has come under fire recently. In a separate controversy during an “Express” round earlier this season, viewers questioned the validity of a puzzle in the “Rhyme Time” category. The solution? “Absolutely Positively.” Many fans pointed out that while catchy, the phrase doesn’t actually rhyme.
“Can someone at @WheelofFortune explain how ‘Absolutely Positively’ is considered a rhyme?” a frustrated fan asked online. “Because they absolutely positively don’t rhyme.”
As frustration builds, Wheel of Fortune is facing increased scrutiny from loyal fans demanding fair treatment for contestants and clearer standards when it comes to judging responses.
Whether the show will address Megan’s case or make changes to its process remains to be seen — but one thing’s certain: fans aren’t staying silent.